Donald J. Reynolds

Donald Joe Reynolds, 60, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021 from cardiac arrest. A Celebration of Life will be held 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, 2021 at The Loft in Des Moines at 100 Indiana Ave., 50314, with a visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. Use of face masks and physical distancing requested.

Growing up he loved spending summers farming with his grandparents. After graduating from Valley High School in West Des Moines, he entered the Air Force as an airplane mechanic. He attended college at Iowa State and then went to flight school in Florida to become a certified flight instructor and pilot. Don owned Reynolds General Construction, Inc. and was hired to renovate Amy’s home in Beaverdale. On his 35th birthday, Amy asked him out on their first date. On July 8, 2000 they married and honeymooned in South Africa and Botswana. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Ireland was his favorite, but he also enjoyed many trips abroad with his mother and brother to Europe and Egypt. Don and Amy spent many summers on cycling adventures including Ragbrai with Team Mystery Machine and later as Self Contained “dirty baggers”.

Don put his skills to use renovating homes and local businesses with Amy designing, staging, and selling or renting. Don had many interests including aviation, civil air patrol, participating in Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s events, cycling, and his work outside as a master gardener. Don’s greatest joys were his kids Eleanor and Sam, a senior and sophomore at Roosevelt High School.

Don is survived by wife Amy, children Eleanor and Sam, his mother Phyllis (Washburn) Willer, father David Reynolds (Robert Wedekind), brother Todd Reynolds, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and a wealth of friends. In true fashion of someone who was always willing to help a friend or a stranger, Don has donated multiple organs. Don was preceded in death by grandparents and Dave Willer.

Condolences may be expressed on his page at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com. Memorials can be made to the Food Bank of Iowa or to the family for his children’s future education.